Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Hi...its me Scott.So I am currently travelling across the country with the rock band Billy Talent. So far most days are 14-20 hours long. My day consists of waking up(around 10:00am)...and figuring out where I am. I then head off to find a room to shower in, the showers are usually pretty ugly so I have to wear flip flops on my feet. After showering I go and find catering. Catering is a real bonus because I eat better then I would at home (since it is already prepared for me). After I eat I go and find out which dressing rooms we are using for the day so I can direct the band in the right direction when they wakeup. By this time I usaully have a few pages of pass requests sitting on my desk in the production office, I quickly finish these so I can round up the band for press. The press has been increasing steady the closer we get to Toronto. Once press is done I usaully call one of the upcoming venues to advance the security for the show. The next thing (and probably one of the most important) is the venue security meeting. This is when I tell the local security people what we expect of them, and this is when I find out what type of security I will be working with....some are really good and others are...not. Soon doors for the event are open and I can have my dinner at catering. Once the concert starts I usaully head out to make sure the support acts are ok, I will stay out there for awhile depending on if there is a pre-show meet and greet with Billy Talent. The meet and greet usually consists of a group of contest winners who get to talk to the band for about 1 minute (this gives enough time for autographs and pictures), I then usher them out and send in the next group. Soon after the meet and greet is over its time for Billy Talent to hit the stage. This is probably one of the easiest yet most stressful times of the day. I stand just off stage and watch the band. My job is to remove anyone from the stage who makes it past the local security guys. This has happened 4 times so far and there has been no problems removing them so far. Once the show is over its time to round up the aftershow guests. These people are usually friends and family of the band so they get to stay for awhile and hang out. Its now around 1:00am and time to go to the bar with the band. Again this isn't difficult but very stressful as you don't know who is in the bar with you and you have to stay ever vigilant (I guess thats why its tattooed on my arm). The bars are usually more then happy to allow the band to stay after hours. It is usually around 3:30 to 4:30am when we return to the bus. Sleeping on a tour bus is difficult at first because of the rumble from the road and the fact that you are in a coffin sized bed, but after awhile its actually easier to sleep in the bus then a regular bed. So thats a typical day on tour, it goes by very quick and I don't even realize how many hours I've worked. It will be nice to come home and see Joanne and the puppies.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

I was a little disappointed that I would not be joining my family for my mom's birthday dinner on the coast this past week. They had originally planned to go a little 'Dine Out Vancouver'. It's a great way to try new restaurants for a great price. Then I discovered that I did not have to miss out on the great food. There is a dining experience here with local restaurants through 'Wine & Dine Okanagan'.

I invited a friend from work to join me in my culinary experience at a little italian restaurant we had both never been to and off we went. The starter course was very yummy; crab cakes with a spicy sauce and ceasar salad with lots of garlic, just the way my dinner companion likes it. The main courses were good but certainly not expectional. I had seafood stuffed pasta shells in a rosé sauce while my partner had the lasagna in a rosé sauce. She commented on how the rosé sauce was good but just not appropriate for a lasagna. And my entree was filling but not tons of flavour in the shells as I would have expected from the seafood. The cosmos we ordered had to be sent back for more juice as the alcohol was overwhelming and did not taste just right; we believe that the triple sec was forgotten altogether. And while the service was not great, they did seem to be understaffed with only two servers in the whole restaurant but it is Wine & Dine season so it was to be expected. The desserts were pretty good. Creme Brulee for me (yum) and Zucotto (Belgian chocolate chunks and toasted hazelnuts, folded with whipped cream and layered between ladyfingers laced with Galliano) for my friend. It was a great time for us both but I think it had more to do with the company than the food.

But I won't give up on 'Wine & Dine', that's what it's all about...trying something new and different.

Sunday, January 28, 2007

I had a very good Sunday afternoon at a local hockey game. It makes you feel good to spend the afternoon with good friends cheering on the local hockey team. Bundled up for the cold, sipping hot chocolate and making memories. I'm very blessed to have such good friends with whom to share these times.

Thursday, January 25, 2007

So I decided that while Scott's not home for dinner I'm going to do a little experimenting in the kitchen. When I first got this magazine in December I was drooling over the picture of this 'Speedy Suppers' recipe. After finally gathering all the ingredients, remember I live in 'Smalliver' where not all things are readily available, I deemed tonight as the night to test out the new recipe for 'Udon Noodle Soup with Baby Bok Choy'. And it was pretty good if I do say so myself and super easy. Check out the pictures...pretty close match for an amateur gourmet. And as Rachel Ray would say 'Yum-O!'

Monday, January 22, 2007

I am very glad that I decided to brave the winter roads ( I was pleasantly surprised that they were bare and mostly dry) and meet up with Scott in K-town for a quick visit in between concerts while he is touring this great country. Although our visit was just a mere 60 minutes, each minute was worth it. I had a quick tour through the bus in which they will be travelling as they hit each new city for a new concert date. It's very schmancy but close quarters for 6+ people to share. I hope they all enjoy the oatmeal raisin cookies I made for them if Scott doesn't eat them all first.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

I was intrigued by this book mentioned in my SIL's blog recently. So on a recent trip to K-Town, I browsed a copy at Chapters bookstore. It had some good ideas for posts, but not quite worth the $24 asking price for a novice as myself. I will have to get the local library to order a copy. Feeling a little defeated (as I love to buy books), I did not give up hope. So while in the Superstore, I was drawn to the book section and hit pay dirt. I found this book at a very reasonable $13.29 (who makes those weird price points) and was pleasantly surprised on it's content.As a beginner blogger, I found out some good basics on posting and what a blog's all about. I am slowly working my way through it and hope to learn more tricks and techniques that you may be able to notice in my posts as I get deeper into the book. For now I'm still in the 'research' stage, but check back for future developments.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

It's Sunday and time to finish up on chores before the new work week starts. While doing laundry and cleaning about the house, I have two new favourite cleaning tools from Home Hardware that I just have to share with you all.1.These dryer sheets are great for those that are conscious of all the chemicals in your dryer and the whole waste issue of all those little sheets that still seem to stick to your socks. What I love best is that I just keep them in the dryer after each load so that they are ready to go for the next batch of clothes. Quick and convenient.2.And this is my new favourite washcloth for the sink in the kitchen. It's been over a month that I have been using it and I still love it. No more stinky, bacteria-filled cloths that stain and become rock hard after drying. Once you try it you will throw out your old cloths, I challenge you. I'm not a huge clean freak or total environmentalist, but I do my part when I can and try to help one change at a time.

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Our day started with a little recipe from Rachael Ray. Very yum-o and so easy to make. And a pot of my favourite coffee, Highlander Grogg from Cherry Hill coffee company. Then I made a pound cake from the Kraft website. Really good with the coffee previously mentioned. After Scott's training session we headed out to the bottle depot at a local market that sells some great international cooking ingredients. A great resource for future cooking adventures. After a pub-style munchies dinner with a hockey game on tv, Scott and I watched a very cute movie, Wallace & Gromit 'The Curse of the Were-Rabbit'. Very relaxing day overall doing whatever we chose, just as weekends should be...

Thursday, January 11, 2007

1. I love my little french butter press (aka butter bell). My sister got if from a little shop in Kitsilano called Bayswater Tea Company where local artisans sell their wares. And now I love this design of pottery and can't wait to visit the shop for more. If you don't know what a butter bell is...it's all explained here.

2. Went to see this movie tonight in our cute little theatre in Smalliver. Very cute movie, even Scott liked it. And best deal...I love that we can both go to the movie, get a large popcorn, med drink and twizzlers for under $20. Can't do that in the big city!

3. Can't wait to spend the next two days with Scott. We have some quality 'couple' time coming up as he will be jetting off to start his tour. So it's all about us for the next couple of days.

Monday, January 8, 2007

So it's a new year with new beginnings. Scott & I decided it was time we got our butts in gear and get active. There aren't a lot of fitness options in Smalliver so we both went to the cardio-kickboxing class at the rec centre tonight. I am sure going to feel it in the morning. Scott did really well and I am very proud of him for sticking it out. He was afraid he was going to look very 'Billy Blanks' but he kept up and really worked up a sweat, as did the whole class. It was really high paced with lots of energy. Again, I am really going to feel this in the morning. But it felt so good too. There are classes three days a week. I will see how I am with two a week to start and work from there. There are also a few women from work who are joining so there is a great support group (aka make sure you show up or you get razzed the next day). I really want to make a commitment to invest in myself and this is just one more step in that direction.

I was reading this magazine that my sister-in-law, Sheri, had over the holidays and came across an article about this website/blog of super cute things. If you just need to smile or just have a warm fuzzy moment...log on! If you aren't into cutesy animal photos you can skip this posting. Enjoy just the same 'cuz you know you are curious about it just a little bit.

Sunday, January 7, 2007

I got off a little early yesterday so that Scott & I could spend a little 'us' time together. We decided to head to Penticton for a little shopping and dinner. After our lists were complete we headed to this restaurant. They always have great Greek food and huge portions, note the take home container in the photo. It was a great day of just enjoying each other's company and spending some time just focussing on us! What a great thing to invest some time into; the one you love.

Friday, January 5, 2007

While Scott was on the coast with our buddy, Spencey, Ikea shopping to stock up his new space was on the list of stops. The better part of last night was spent putting together our new Ikea furniture for the new office/den. I love how easy it is to assemble Ikea stuff with just a screwdriver or the little allen keys provided. A new cabinet, some pull out shelves (that I am seriously thinking of stealing for my craft room once it's organized), a new sofa bed so we have a spare in the basement for more guests and a fold down desk were the items on Scott's shopping list. Just one more room to check off our to do list.

Monday, January 1, 2007

Being that it is January 1st, it's time to put up the new calendar and take down the old. But before the old calendar is put away I like to take a last look through the year to remember what we had been up to over the last twelve months. The visitors we had, the appointments we made, the birthdays we celebrated, the vacations we took. What we did that made our year complete. And now we have a crisp new calendar to fill up with all our new adventures and memories. Welcome to 2007.